A Not So Distant Future.

                    We Humans enjoy a certain level of comfort as the dominant inhabitants of this planet. Our intelligent minds have brought us remarkable advancements in medical science, The technology to speak to our neighbors all over the world, and a unique view of our existence as conscious beings. There is no doubt that we have evolved into astonishing biological organisms capable of almost limitless progress. But this intelligence comes with a few inherent responsibilities that we have been ignoring for a dangerously long time. The first being Common Sense; This is perhaps the most important. A species that refuses to use it’s logical mind to divert itself from destructive circumstances is doomed for self-inflicted failure. Another responsibility we inherit is the obligation of compassion. We have been given minds that are able to solve some of life’s most puzzling questions, We have challenged our natural limits and mastered the ability to fly higher than the birds, we can look into the vastness of Outer Space and witness the unbelievable beauty of our Universe; This same creativity should always be used to make sure our actions do as little harm as possible. That principle is as essential to our survival as the Oxygen we breathe.

                 Our planet is a very finite resource. We sometimes don’t realize it because of how big it seems to us tiny Humans, but the earth only has so much to offer, and once a resource is gone, for whatever reason, it is effectively gone for good. The Human race has developed a kind of amnesia to this rule, We have turned a blind eye to the obvious truth that we lead an unsustainable existence. I think subconsciously we have convinced ourselves that we have nothing to worry about, as if the problem will just go away.  Nothing could be more deadly than an entire race lying to themselves. It’s time to muster up the maturity we are so proud of, and as a species, face the facts.

                 In April of 2010 the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 people, and causing a massive underwater geyser which for three months pumped over 200 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf. The full extent of the damage is still unknown. Fossil fuels have been shown to produce toxic gasses that affect the quality of our air, causing cancer, asthma, and other debilitating diseases. And the emissions may also be a contributing factor to  global climate change, an event that could easily wipe entire populations off the face of the planet. It has become very obvious to me that our reliance on petroleum and other fossil fuels is a deadly addiction to the familiar, and nothing more. We have the ability to harvest energy from the sun and wind, We know how to create power with hydro-electric facilities, and have developed ways to produce Geo-thermal and even wave generated electricity. Vehicles that run strictly on Hydrogen have been made, the only emissions produced by these cars is clean, drinkable water. New technologies continue to surface as a result of our astounding ingenuity, I think the time to leave our old habits behind is extremely overdue.

              We owe a great amount of respect to coal and oil, and the rapid progress they allowed us to enjoy as we paved our way into the advancements that have helped us adapt and evolve into a relatively comfortable  existence. But this way of producing fuel and energy should be viewed as a metaphorical raft, that has given us the ability to make it across the river of time safely. But having landed on the other side, all we are doing now is dragging the raft behind us, expending valuable time and energy on a load we need not bear. In essence this addiction is a retardation of our own evolution, placing limits on the Human species that grow tighter by the day. How much more devastation will we need to experience before we accept the fact that we are destroying the only place we have to live, and robbing our children of a chance to lead a happy, meaningful life.

           Another major cause of both pollution and unnecessary suffering are the methods we employ to raise, and slaughter animals for food, clothing, and other reasons. The popular image of a happy cow or pig basking in the sun on a small family farm is a mirage. The reality is the demand for meat, leather and fur has driven the industry to mass produce it’s animals in intensive “factory farms”, often ignoring the basic rights that a conscious being incurs at birth, the right to live a happy, natural existence, with as little suffering as possible. To purposely inflict suffering to another living creature is the lowest form of depravity we can sink to. This is added to the fact that our methods of raising these animals leaves us with millions of tons of waste, which has found it’s way into our food and water supply, and carries deadly diseases like E. Coli and Salmonella. It is estimated that just one modern pig farm produces more waste than a city of 10,000 people, and with approximately 100 million pigs being raised and killed each year in the U.S. alone, we are facing a serious problem. Instead of just asking you to take my word for it, I invite you to investigate the ways the animal industry has chosen to “solve” this destructive problem. I believe you will be appalled at the level of irresponsibility and blatant carelessness we have shown in regards to this situation.

         Our deed’s have been not only destructive, but also cruel. Because we view them as inferior to our own species, animals rarely have very much protection from the horrible cruelty we are capable of. We are shoving, living, thinking, feeling beings into tiny battery cages and pens, forcing them to live in horrible conditions their entire lives, and then shipping them to slaughterhouses to be violently killed. Using inhumane methods simply because they are cheap and easy, completely ignoring the massive suffering we are inflicting on these creatures. If we can make a plane soar through the sky at hundreds of miles an hour, or build a rocket that will take us to the moon, why is it we can’t seem to figure out a way to feed and clothe ourselves and produce safe products that don’t cause unnecessary harm or damage? And the resources we expend feeding these animals could easily solve world hunger if the food and energy were diverted from this wasteful, destructive industry. It is time to reevaluate our priorities and analyze our actions and the consequences.

          And while our creativity has given us amazing technology that has improved the quality of our lives, there is yet another dark side of the path we have chosen to follow. As time goes by, we Humans continue to invent new and ingenious ways to kill each other. More often than not leaving these deadly weapons in the control of greedy, corrupt tyrants who use them at will to manipulate social circumstances in their favor, or to force their beliefs or morals on others in some despicable act of ego-maniacal imagined superiority. If a person expects to enjoy freedom and happiness he must never encroach on another’s right to liberty and peace. This is a basic fundamental of Human existence. We start wars because others don’t agree with us, or have something we perceive as rightfully ours, which naturally provokes the victims to retaliate in kind with as much violence and hate as they can muster. It is a vicious, pointless cycle of intolerance, hate and death that is poisoning our hearts and stealing the lives of innocent people all over the world. Imagine how much better off we would be if we focused more on our own progress, and not on developing weapons of war.

        These are only a few of the serious problems we as a species face because of our actions. The human population has risen to 7 billion people, a staggering number that most economists, and environmental scientists suggest is entirely out of control. Our small, precious planet cannot support our lifestyle of wasteful consumption. And with an ever increasing number of people on the planet our problems are only going to get worse unless we make a change. Yes, it will be a difficult process of trial and error, but the most important thing is to begin. To put one foot in front on another and start the journey to make things right. And once we have overcome this obstacle facing us we will be that much stronger, that much smarter, ready to face the future with experience and, hopefully, Love.

Revolution of thought.

The Talking Heads are busy these days. In America, Fear is a product and keeping you afraid is big business. Meanwhile, in the real world, Things have begun to reach a catalyst.  Everyone seems to notice somethings wrong, alot of people have pretty strong opinions on the how and why, but we all agree we aren’t going in the right direction. That’s about the only thing we seem to be able to agree on. Politics, these days, is all about distraction and illusion. The distraction is the popularity contest and media circus that is American politics, and the illusion is that you are free. While you are busy arguing over political dogma, The men behind the curtain are hard at work, waging wars and spending your money. Those with power only have as much power as you allow, and the more you allow things to stay as they are, the more harm you do to the world you are borrowing from your children.

Fear, as I said before, is big business. The Sensationalism perpetuated by the media and those who run it is what keeps us addicted to the “protection” and “stability” our Government claims to offer us in return for our obedience. As long as there is someone or something to Fear, our Government can do anything it pleases, under the guise of keeping us all safe. I believe it has even come to the point where our leaders have manufactured things for us to Fear so they can further their agenda. The terrorists are in our television sets, convincing us all that things are too scary for us to face on our own. We are asked to believe that anyone who questions authority is a threat to society, when the exact opposite is true. Those who question authority are an essential part to a free society.

We the people have only one thing to Fear. It is not a man in a cave, thousands of miles away. It is not a plague or impending natural disaster. We shouldn’t even Fear the greedy bankers and politicians who lie, murder and steal everyday. We need only Fear our own apathy towards our increasingly dire situation. Things only continue down this path because WE allow it to happen. We are either too lazy, too distracted, or too afraid to care. This apathy is fatal if left unchecked. I’m afraid that we will all start to raise our heads a little too late, and the fight for freedom will be that much more difficult. How much liberty are you willing to give up to maintain your false sense of security and freedom?

We must learn from the mistakes of our brothers and sisters abroad, those fighting in Syria and the middle east for freedom and opportunity. We cannot wait until our rights have been stripped to speak out, because that is when the shelling will start, and the raids, and the violence. The tighter the grip on our lives gets, the more those who hold on will fight to keep control. A violent revolution is not necessary, we can overcome our adversary simply by deciding not to live in Fear anymore. Peaceful, but firm disobedience is all you need to take back control over your life, and your country. Take back whats yours, and defend your right to freedom. You have to stand up for yourself though, if you don’t   value your life and freedom, don’t expect someone else to. You see what the alternative is, what would you prefer?

Legalize Intelligence

I’d like to say first off that Drugs, for many people, are a very bad idea. Addiction and the consequences can be pretty serious, even fatal. And, every person experiences a Drug differently, so there is no real way to know exactly how something is going to make you feel or behave. Intoxicants of any kind should only ever be used by responsible, knowledgeable adults who understand the risks and potential for disaster.

Having said that, I’d like to say that I think the fact that Marijuana is still illegal for both sale and consumption in most of the developed world is absolutely ridiculous. Literally, Trillions of dollars have been spent trying to wipe this plant off the face of Creation, Men have spent decades of their precious lives in jails and prisons over it, and still, as of this writing, their have been NO reported deaths due to Marijuana consumption.

The Marijuana plant has been around for as long as we have. And we’ve been using it in one form or another for thousands of years. The plant fiber can make clothing and textiles, as well as paper. And the Hemp plant grows twice as fast as cotton does and countless times faster than tree’s do, and can grow in almost any climate, in almost any soil. The seeds are often used by bodybuilders and health conscious people as a great source of protein, Essential Fatty Acids, and  other nutrients. The oil from the plant is often used in medicine, and could even be used for fuel. Not to mention the flowers, which are the most valued part.

To start off the flowers of the Marijuana plant are still the only medicine that safely reduces ocular pressure in glaucoma patients with virtually NO side effects.  It is a safe, natural, non-addicting pain reliever for those with muscle and joint pain. It is an excellent sleep aid, that doesn’t cause dependency. It is perfect for cancer and HIV/AIDS patients to stimulate appetite, and for those patients who are terminally ill it provides reprieve and comfort as well as being a good pain reliever. New uses for the plant, both utilitarian and medicinal emerge all the time, and for states that have legalized it for medicinal uses it has brought in millions in tax revenue each year.

Marijuana, despite the all out war being waged against it, has remained America’s top cash crop for decades. Only, the harsh and outdated laws have drove the trade underground in most places and led to the creation of a “shadow economy” that is rife with crime and murder. Leaving the vicious Drug Cartels in charge of supply, and further supporting their hold on communities in Mexico and South America. The point that i’m trying to make here, is that our farmers could be growing it, and selling it to dispensaries which would then sell it to those who choose to use it. Growing and dispensing ALONE would both create jobs and stimulate the economy, but a small tax could even be added to further help the struggling communities that could use the boost. Not to mention the billions wasted in law enforcement each year, and the money used to lock people up for non-violent Marijuana related crimes.

The powers that be have created a stigma for Marijuana that seems to be difficult to shake. Everyone just accepts the fact that this virtually harmless plant is illegal because it’s always been that way. Not many actually realize the massive benefit it would have on our quality of life, especially here in America. I honestly just think it’s time to grow up and face the facts around this issue, and change it. We need to demand OUR government change the outdated and detrimental laws banning the consumption, growth, and sale of this plant. It is our obligation to speak up if something is hurting us. The laws of this country do not seem to apply to the super wealthy, or those in charge, so we cannot ever expect them to stand up for us. We must stand up for ourselves.

Peaceful Questions.

“If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.

If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.

If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbors.

If there is to be peace between neighbors,
There must be peace in the home.

If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart.”

~Chinese Philospher , Lao-Tse ,6th Century BCE

                                         Something I have been slowly realizing lately, is that the outer world is typically indicative of the inner one. When there is Chaos and Mayhem inside my mind, It is usually present in my life as well. But the most interesting thing, I find, is that I have complete control of how I feel and what I do about it. The problem is almost always within me, a product of my own reactions to life and it’s circumstances. I could choose to allow something to seriously bother me (as I often do), and get angry and scream and in the end nothing will be different and i’ll probably have a bigger problem to deal with. Or I could choose to slow down and meditate on the situation, and try to look at it from a level of compassion that makes it impossible to be angry. Which in the end has always shown to be the best course of action, if any is necessary at all.

                              There are several things about this country that really make me angry. The way we treat other people, ourselves, our Planet, and Animals is disgusting, to say the very least. The corruption and oppression our apathy constantly upholds, all over the world, is astounding. And the widely popular Fear of those who speak up with voices of Love and Change, Who fight for Freedom and Equality, is depressing.  At the end of the day though, I have to figure out a way to live with these realities while at the same time trying to change them. I cannot allow myself to become emotional, angry or hateful, or else i’m being counterproductive. It’s only when I approach the problem with firm understanding and endless compassion do I even begin to be able to experience it fully. And then decide the best way to move forward.

                            What would I gain if I ran around pointing fingers and making accusations and ruining reputations? I’d be playing “their” game and the thing about that game is it is set up for you to lose. I’d rather play by my own rules and work toward change rather than arguing about it. I feel I can accomplish more from a platform of tolerance and Love, when I look at those I am disagreeing with in terms of how we are alike rather than separate.

                          We have a world full of people with alot of answers, but rarely the right questions. Am I Free? Truly. Inside and out? Or have the people I have so freely handed the authority used it to slowly pull the wool over my eyes and turn me into a shiny cog in the machine of consumerism. We may no longer protest in the street and speak up for our liberty without being labeled as “Terrorists”. New laws get passed each year that take away just a little more of your Freedom. Because, in essence, each law is just another stipulation of your Freedom. Just another thing you cannot do.

                       The problem with authority is it’s not discriminate. Anyone can invoke it, Psychopaths, Sociopaths, Fascists, etc etc. When you open the door, there’s no telling who will walk through. Which has historically led to leaders like Nero, Hitler, Stalin, Mubarak, Assad, and The American Government for the past 150 years. We must take back control over our own lives. We must be able to decide for ourselves the best course of action in our own existence.

                        After all, WE are the ones who pave the streets, WE grow the food, We heal the sick and WE drive the buses. WE clean their houses, teach their children and cook their food, we even drive them around in their expensive cars. WE ought to be able to have a say in how our World is run. Our leaders should be trusted servants, they should not govern. Their jobs should be to protect, serve and care for those they represent, not to impose limitations to another persons liberty. Only a persons Creator can be his master, all others are his equal.

Sensational Garbage.

I could watch CNN all day. Really, I could. It’s very entertaining. And not just CNN, MSNBC, and even FOX. Suspense, Emotion, the Happy Ending, it’s all there.  And the talking heads on T.V. would love to tell you all about it.

Almost no substance though, Like, marshmallow puff for the mind. A glimpse here and there of something important, something we should be interested in, and then our gaze is diverted to the news of who’s just won a Grammy or what so-and-so named their newborn child. There are very urgent matters that require our IMMEDIATE attention and yet we are nicely preoccupied with lives of celebrities we have never met. People who do not even know our names. It’s all Sensational Garbage and our brands the best.

Syria, Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Israel, Central and South America, China, Iran, etc etc. These are all places where the government is actually imprisoning, torturing and killing it’s own citizens for speaking up. These are places with alot of instability, and alot of funerals for children. I guess, as long as your the government it’s ok though, right?

                       If we don’t get off our asses and speak up for ourselves, The same shit will be happening here. I’d rather prevent the random shelling of neighborhoods and the senseless murder of children. The Indefinite Detention, The curfews and the slow chiseling away of Liberty. I Want To Be Free.  Truly free, and unafraid of a government that was created to serve and protect but chooses to manipulate and extort instead. I don’t want to Buy, Breed or Brainstorm anymore. I just want to Be.

                      I don’t care if anybody ever reads this. I’m not writing this for any other reason other than I need to see my own ideas in print, To better analyze and understand my own mind. To liberate your mind is to be completely Free.

Paper Master.

I have a five dollar bill in front of me. I can rip it, I can burn it and I could even eat it. But this piece of paper is my master. This dollar bill isn’t even aware of it’s own existence, but it’s in complete control of mine. Without it i’d have no food, no water, no home, no medicine. I guess it’s sort of like one of those “Try Life: Free to sign up” deals. You can be born, but in order to live you have to pay.  That doesn’t  sound right to me.

We are born into this scam and politely forced to play along.  And I don’t want to play anymore….

The Wake Up Call.

Hello,

                    I am just like you. I love my freedom, and to be totally honest: I’m afraid. We need to wake up America. This is your wake up call…

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